[Risk-stratification strategy for sudden cardiac death in the very young children with asymptomatic ventricular preexcitation].

[Risk-stratification strategy for sudden cardiac death in the very young children with asymptomatic ventricular preexcitation]. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2019 Mar 01;: Authors: Rodriguez-Gonzalez M, Castellano-Martinez A, Perez-Reviriego AA Abstract Asymptomatic VPE refers to the presence of this abnormal ECG pattern in the absence of any symptoms. The natural history in these patients is usually benign, and most children (60%) with VPE are usually asymptomatic. However, sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been reported to be the initial symptom in many patients too. The increased risk of SCD is thought to be due to the rapid conduction of atrial arrhythmias to the ventricle, via the AP, which degenerates into ventricular fibrillation (VF). The best method to identify high-risk patients with asymptomatic VPE for SCD is the characterization of the electrophysiological properties of the AP through an electrophysiological study (EPS). Also, catheter ablation of the AP with radiofrequency as definitive treatment to avoid SCD, can be performed in the same procedure with high rates of successful14. However, the uncertainty over the absolute risk of SCD, the poor positive predictive value of an invasive EPS, and complications associated with catheter ablation, have made the management of asymptomatic VPE challenging, even more in those children younger than 8 year-old, where there are no clear recommendations. This review provides an overview of the dif...
Source: Current Cardiology Reviews - Category: Cardiology Tags: Curr Cardiol Rev Source Type: research